A Man's Failure

***

{Inside The Projection} 

The bandits were coming in from the front in a file-like manner.

Malik needed to care of them just as they arrived, otherwise, he'd be overwhelmed.

"Die!"

Their first swung at him with an axe, heavy, reckless.

Malik sidestepped.

His curved sword flashed once before it was painted red.

The bandit's charge never finished.

He stumbled past Malik, his legs buckling, eyes confused—until his throat split open, spilling a dark, wet gasp onto the dirt.

The second tried to grab him, reaching—mistake.

Malik twisted, used their own momentum to yank them forward, and his steel bit spine.

A shudder. A strangled grunt. The body slumped.

But there was no time to watch them fall.

Another was already coming. A spear lunging for his heart.

Malik spun. His blade cut the air in an arc—sparks screamed as their weapons met.